I TAKE THE DICE - PART TWENTY
PREVIOUSLY
He turned around and opened the door.
“Todd!! Tell me please!!” she exclaimed.
“I do love you Téa,” he said and for a moment their eyes found each other, expressing their feelings without words.
“Forgive me,” she said.
“I’m working on it,” he replied. He walked out leaving her alone. Suddenly her bedroom seemed too huge for her. She lay down on the bed and cried herself to sleep.
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9:00 am
Llanview Police Station…
Fiona Braxton walked into the police station, with Det. West on one side and Kevin and Asa on the other. She was feeling nervous and uncomfortable.
After her…unfortunate incident with Nick in Téa’s office, Fiona quickly exited the building and made it back to Asa’s. She hadn’t meant to kill Nick. They had struggled with the gun and it just went off. It could have been her who had died that night but it wasn’t.
At Asa’s, Fiona had removed her blood stained dress and had cut it to shreds. She shoved the shreds into an empty camera bag and first chance she had, she was going to bury it on Asa’s estate.
Asa had been in his study when she had left to go to the party but she hadn’t brought her attention to him when she left. And when she did return, Asa was in bed.
A few hours later, in the dead of night, Kevin had come over and related what had happened to him at Téa’s office. Fiona instantly saw it as her way out.
She had no intention of going back to jail again. Jail sucked and sweet ironies of ironies but who was the prime suspect of Nick’s murder than her nemesis, Téa Manning. Fiona couldn’t believe her luck!
Det. West walked Fiona into the interrogation room. Asa and Kevin followed them in. Bo and Hank, looking run down and tired, followed them in.
“What’s this about Bo?” demanded Asa.
“Paw, the department is conducting a murder investigation…” began Bo drawing up his strength to deal with Asa.
“I know about that! Kevin says you questioned him and Manning’s wife last night…” began Asa. He stood next to Fiona like a protective lion cat.
“And now it’s our turn to question Fiona,” added Hank.
Bo sighed, frustrated with his father.
“I told you I didn’t see Fiona last night!” injected Kevin.
Fiona just smiled.
“Det. West, escort my father and my nephew out of here so we can talk to Fiona – alone,” instructed Bo.
“I’m not going anywhere!” fussed Asa.
“Yes, you are Paw,” said Bo walking up to Asa himself.
Kevin looked at Fiona and smiled sympathically.
“Will you be all right?” he asked.
“I’ll be fine,” said Fiona confidently.
“C’Mon Grandpa. Fiona’s got nothing to hide…” said Kevin encouraging his fussy grandfather to leave.
“Don’t say a word Fiona until I can get you a lawyer down here…” said Asa spitting out instructions as Bo and Det. West escorted him out of the room. Kevin followed and finally Bo and Hank were alone with her.
“You know what this about Ms. Braxton?” questioned Hank.
“I have a clue,” said Fiona smugly.
“Don’t get snippy Fiona,” said Bo, “I know what you’re capable of when it comes to the Mannings. You hate Téa Manning for the simple fact she’s Todd’s wife.”
Fiona rolled her eyes.
“This is serious Ms. Braxton,” said Det. West walking in, “Now we need you to account for your whereabouts last night.”
“Are you accusing me of murder? Am I a suspect?” asked Fiona brazenly as she looked up from her chair.
“You’re not accused of anything,” said Bo.
“Well, it sure sounds like it. Blame it Fiona. She hates the Mannings. She’s done jail time. They have a restraining order against her. Do you think I’d be so stupid so as to jeopardize my parole?” hissed Fiona.
“Calm down…” started Hank.
“No. I was at Asa’s house. And you will not blame me – especially when Téa Manning is your obvious choice. Sorry. Now I’m not saying another word until my lawyer gets here,” said Fiona fiercely.
Bo looked at Hank and frowned.
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The Manning Estate…
After leaving his bedroom last night, Todd checked on his sleeping children. Even sleeping, their presence comforted him. Then he went into the living room and drafted up the article he wanted in the Sun about his wife’s involvement in the murder. When he was finished, he woke up Kelly and Briggs and faxed over his article, ”Publisher’s wife falsely suspected of murder”
As he was finishing that, he heard Téa in the kitchen preparing breakfast for the kids. He still didn’t know what to do. He was deeply hurt by her actions.
Just then, Tina walked out smelling fresh and wearing a new set of clothing. She sat down across from Todd and smiled.
“You look like shit bro,” she said, “Did you sleep at all?”
Todd shot her a look, “No, I didn’t. Can you tell?” He leaned back on the couch and kicked his feet up on the coffee table.
“You’re worried. I understand. Your wife is in the hot seat but I have a plan.”
“You do?” asked Todd. His curiosity was aroused.
Tina projected an air of confidence about her, “I do. I plan on talking to Kevin Buchanan.”
“Kevin? That punk? Why? All he’s gonna’ do is stick up for his little girlfriend!” exclaimed a weary Todd.
“That’s what you think but he was there last night and I bet he has a clue that will implicate his ‘little girlfriend’ as you so eloquently put it and I’m going to find it,” said Tina with authority.
Todd rolled his eyes, “If I remember you weren’t a very good schemer.”
Tina shrugged her shoulders, “This will work. Trust me.”
Todd frowned, “You don’t have to do this Tina.”
Tina stood up, “But I’m going to. I like your wife Todd. And I have a feeling she needs all the help she can get.” And with that, Tina walked out the door.
Todd leaned his head on the couch and let out a deep breath.
TO BE CONTINUED...
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